UN staff kidnapped, vehicle recovered as security forces launch operation to rescue target
By Zagazola Makama
Security forces have recovered a vehicle belonging to a United Nations (UN) staff member who was kidnapped by gunmen in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victim, identified as 45-year-old Emmanuel Yusuf Sabo, was reportedly abducted around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, while returning home from work. The incident occurred along Godwin Street in the State Low-Cost area of Jos North.
Zagazola Makama learnt that Sabo, a staff member at the United Nations office in Jos, was whisked away by unknown armed men, sparking immediate concern from family and security agencies.
His younger brother, Mr. Ezekiel Sabo of Angwan Rukuba, reported the abduction to the police on Sunday morning.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Command Control Room promptly disseminated the information to all patrol units and checkpoints across the state,” security sources confirmed.
In a swift response, a team of police operatives on routine stop-and-search duty intercepted the victim’s vehicle in the early hours of Sunday, June 1, at about 3:40 a.m. in Manguna, Bokkos LGA.
The suspected kidnapper, who was driving the vehicle, abandoned it and fled into a nearby bush upon sighting the police.
The vehicle was recovered and secured, while an intensive search and rescue operation has been launched in the surrounding area to locate the abducted UN staff member and apprehend the perpetrators.
